Night of Destiny

“She got seven stitches. I’ve advised her to rest at the hospital,” Shirley replied. Zacharias nodded. “I see. You should check in on her.”

“I will,” Shirley assured, taking another sip of the hot tea. It was already around 10.00PM at this point. Just then, the sound of a car could be heard outside. Shirley immediately got up and went to the door, where she saw Tony hurrying over against the cold wind.

Shirley opened the door for him, and he said, while rubbing his hands together, “Goodness, it’s freezing! Uncle Zacharias, are you okay? I came back specifically to check on you.”

Zacharias wasn’t the least bit glad to see this third wheel and said, “I’m fine. You can go home now.”

However, having just got here, there was no way Tony would leave immediately. He grinned and said, “I’m not going anywhere! It’s freezing outside. Your place is the best. There’s food and drinks, and it’s cozy!”

Tony didn’t like being alone either. Despite having a spacious flat, it felt deserted, with only him living there. He much preferred his uncle’s place.

“Goddess, you look even more beautiful today.” Tony complimented Shirley, who corrected him, “Call me Shirley.”

“No, I’ll call you Goddess, or if you prefer Aunt Shirley, I can call you that too,” Tony joked. Shirley’s face turned red, and she glared at Tony. “Don’t you dare.”

Zacharias couldn’t help but hide a smile and watched Shirley playfully interact with his nephew.

“Why can’t I? You’ll be my uncle’s sooner or later,” Tony said confidently.

“Excuse you,” Shirley scolded. Tony immediately rushed to Zacharias, clutching his head and saying, “Uncle Zacharias, save me!”

“Fight your own battles.” Zacharias certainly wouldn’t save him. Tony sat on the couch with a smile and poured himself a cup of hot tea while saying, “I’ve sent Jesslyn home. You won’t believe this, Uncle. She cried the entire way back.”

“Why was she crying?” Zacharias asked with squinted eyes.

“Why else? She doesn’t want to part with you, of course! She likes you so much, Tony replied. At that, Zacharias cleared his throat, “I only ever see her as a sister.”

“I know. You like my goddess. I know that!”” Tony grinned. “Jesslyn knows she’s no match for my goddess, too, so she gave up on pursuing you.”

On the side, Shirley clenched her fist as she warned, “Tony, stop making things up.”

“I’m not making things up,” Tony argued with a quirked brow. “It’s a public fact that my uncle likes you!”

Shirley felt a playful gaze directed her way, and she glared at Tony. “Well, I don’t like your uncle.”

“Why not? Is it because you think he’s too old?” Tony asked directly, and Zacharias turned grim at once. This kid just has to bring this up. Is age even a matter?

Lo and behold, Shirly replied, “Yes, I don’t like guys much older than me.”

Alas, a certain someone’s face turned even grimmer. How dare this girl despise me so openly, too? At that, Tony turned to Zacharias with amusement and commented, “Wow, Uncle, to think you’d face rejection too!”

The urge to laugh surged within Shirley, too, but she held it back as she watched a certain someone chuck a cushion at Tony while grumbling, “Go to your room.” All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Immediately, Tony spoke up for his uncle. “Don’t say that, alright, Goddess? When it comes to love, age is just a number. Besides, Uncle Zacharias is a silver fox. He’s much more eligible than young guys like me.”

Shirley couldn’t help bursting into laughter upon hearing Tony describe Zacharias as a silver fox. Zacharias, on the other hand, thought his nephew needed some lessons in manners and said, “Enough, go back to your room.”

Finally, Tony went upstairs. With his departure, the atmosphere in the living room became somewhat heavy, and Shirley returned to standing by the door.

She was still thinking about their conversation when suddenly, a male voice floated over. “Am I a silver fox to you?”